The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-09-01

Our esteemed contemporary, the SPIRIT OF
of the argument we sought to make. Our
aim is to secure better laws for the State,
to subordinate partiZanism to material
interest. and substitute business methods
for the reckless waste of the public money
that has characterized the administration
of Virginia's affairs during the past three
or four years. To this end we desire to
see the real issues in the approaching con-
test brought face to face with the people;
to have the reeking record of the Demo-
cratic party exposed. and to leave no loop
| hole by which the leaders of that party
may be able to relieve themselves of the
responsibility which is justly theirs, How
can this be done? Only by ignoring
every side issue that may be thrust to the
front as shield. and pressing the fight at
ting the truth be known. To do this,
mere indy dual ambition must stand
aside, so that public attention may be cen
tired upon those matters only which ale
of real public concern. Virginia is pros
trate and bankrupt to-day, and the highest
duty of citizenship is to struggle for her
restoration. 1t is matter of small mo-
ment who shall represent her in the Ma
tional Congress. compared with the ques-
| tion of whether or not her people shall be
permitted to live and prosper. Virginia
| Democracy knows, and knows full well,
that it's record cannot bear the light of in
veStigation. How then shall it retain it's
power? There is but one way. Arouse
passion and prejudice and obscure the
vital interests that should be paramount.
Its only refuge is the refuge of the cutie
| fish. 1t must blacken the waters and conceal
its real identity if it would hope to escape.
| Personal abuse and epithet are the only eff
fectve ammunition of its arsenal and upon
these it must rely. Conscious of this, its
| ralying cry WILL be down with Mahone,"
and from one end of the Commonwealth
to the other that cry will ring with cease.
less iteration.
With the weapons at their command,
will the Republicans be senseless enough
W lSU puciii phuo CoCaPC! w III bCihoSiuCy
be allowed to shirk all responsibility for
the past, and not be held to the fullest
measure of just accountability for the
trusts it has betrayed, and the evils
brought upon the people? No! Thousand
times no, not if the ambition of hundred
men were fOiled.
Let our candidates and those who love
right better than party, press Virginia;s
wrongs and Virginia's needs to the fore
front Of the battle, and stand or fall under
that flag
If we gain the legislature, there need be
no apprehension as to the SenatOrship.
We are not afraid to trust those who will
be chosen to represent the State. If they
are not true men they should not be elect
ed, and if they are true men there will be
no necessity to have them bound by the
caucus collar. There is nothing to prevent
their comforting, or the surrender of indl-
yidual preferences to tbs common good.
And they can do this without being
pledged in advance. Their primary allie
glance is to Virginia. The only pledge |
that should be asked is that they will bend
their every energy to a lifting up of the
old State. If they arS t:ne to this pledge |
they cannot be untrue to their party.